Incident

What would you do if your patient who is 95 years old ignores when you tell him to sit on the commode for taking his pants off and stands and do it and while you were helping him he falls? I feel guilty because he bruised his ribs. Is It right to think I could have prevented that. Loosing my sleep over it.

Edited May 16 by Lovely

Falls happen, even under the most ideal circumstances. Most 95 years olds need more than being told what to do, though. We often have to guide verbally and physically ...and have a back up plan for when they're confused or just plain stubborn. My back-up plan usually involves hovering and spotting.

Assuming you did all of the required things related to a patient fall, I think you are entitled to learn from it and sleep well.

2 hours ago, Sour Lemon said:

Falls happen, even under the most ideal circumstances. Most 95 years olds need more than being told what to do, though. We often have to guide verbally and physically ...and have a back up plan for when they're confused or just plain stubborn. My back-up plan usually involves hovering and spotting.

Assuming you did all of the required things related to a patient fall, I think you are entitled to learn from it and sleep well.

I agree, and you need to realize there's only so much you can do to help physically.  You can't FORCE them to sit down.  Maybe next time they'll listen to the nurse....

Its always your fault... Keep taking full responsibility for your patients

But if anything happens and you have to explain to a supervisor, don't be too quick to take full responsibility

Edited May 16 by yourgoodneighbor

Sour Lemon said it best.  I would not worry too much.   You did the best you could at the time.   Review occurrence and think what you can do for next time.  

 

Often the elderly fail to accept they need help. A 95 year old is likely to have osteoarthritis and other diseases of the aged so I just assume they are apt to get in trouble.While I make certain they understand my instructions I still don't trust and plan accordingly. You can't always prevent a fall or injury because many situations can't be made ideal..but you can lessen the chances.Learn what you need to learn from it and move on because you have more people to help.It could have always been worse.